Hayles helps Fulham to five point lead

Monday 20 November 2000 00:00 BST

Fulham have opened up a five-point gap at the top of the First Division after two goals from Barry Hayles helped them to a 3-1 win over nine-man Portsmouth. Hayles and team-mate Louis Saha also occupy the top two places in the divisions goalscoring chart.

French forward Saha turned provider this time in a great dis-play without scoring and midfielder Lee Clark said: "Louis still surprises me at how well he has adapted here. "He has got great pace and a good touch and always gives us another option. The only problem is that we can't keep up with him." Skipper Chris Coleman added: "I think the conditions suited them more than us but I was never in doubt that we would end up winners."